“Greg has pushed our school forward with a fair hand, an open mind, a positive attitude, and a trajectory toward the future that has surpassed all of my expectations. He has taught me by example what it takes to be a great leader, and I’m grateful for his mentorship and for his friendship. He will truly be missed.”
— Alyse Lancaster , chair and associate professor of the department of strategic communication
It was under Shepherd’s guidance that the School of Communication became what it is today. Spearheading the largest reorganization in the school’s history, it went from seven individual programs to four departments, each headed by a department chair. This shift to individual departments—cinema and interactive media, communication studies, journalism and media management, and strategic communication—helped streamline operations throughout the school and increase faculty involvement in decision-making..
“Through his bold vision and passion for education, Dean Shepherd has elevated the School of Communication to new heights. Thanks to him, the communication field looks to our School as leading the way in interdisciplinary scholarship and teaching as well as experiential learning.”
— Christina Lane , chair and associate professor of the department of cinema and interactive media
Among his many accomplishments were establishing two new state-of-the-art centers at the School of Communication: the Koenigsberg and Nadal Interactive Media Center and the Robert and Lauren Mann Broadcast Center. Dean Shepherd’s influence was what helped cultivate alumni and parent giving to create the two centers. He further advanced the school's experiential educational opportunities through the establishment last spring of the Orange Umbrella Student Consultancy.
“Dean Shepherd is the cornerstone of Orange Umbrella, and in just two and a half years, more than 120 students' lives have been changed by this experience, and to him, we are all so grateful.”
— Melissa Jane Barnes , managing director for Orange Umbrella
Under his leadership, the school’s new Interactive Media M.F.A. program has placed on the The Princeton Review’s 'Top 25 Graduate Schools for Game Design' since 2013. Additionally, the motion pictures program ranked in the top 30 in 2017 by TheWrap Magazine in recognition of its immersive curriculum, experienced professors, and successful alumni, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Barry Waldman, and David Nutter, Emmy-winning “Game of Thrones” director.
“The accomplishments under his leadership advanced the experiential educational opportunities for our students, and allowed them to gain intangible skills like leadership and teamwork .
Dean Shepherd is a visionary and multi-dimensional thinker with a warm, collegial, and transparent style of leadership.”
— Jeffrey L. Duerk , executive vice president for academic affairs and provost
Dean Shepherd helped foster meaningful, vibrant educational experiences for not only the students, but the faculty as well. Join the University of Miami community at his retirement reception, to celebrate the third dean of the School of Communication and his eight years of transformative leadership at the U.
April 18, 2019
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
School of Communication Courtyard
5100 Brunson Drive
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
RSVP by April 15
